The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Alexandria from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. Temperatures can feel as high as 106 degrees. These hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

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DASH will operate a cooling bus at 417 King Street from Wednesday, July 15, at 9 a.m. to Friday, July 17, at 6 a.m.

The expected hot weather increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat. Drink plenty of water before temperatures rise to prevent feeling sick from dehydration.

The City of Alexandria is offering cooling centers to community members in response to a hazardous heat forecast issued by the National Weather Service. 

Protect yourself by learning about the signs of heat illnesses. If you notice signs of heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness, you may be experiencing heat exhaustion. If you notice an extremely high body temperature, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid, strong pulse, or become unconscious, you may be experiencing a heat stroke. Take action by moving to a cool location, including City facilities, and rest and drink fluids. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Learn more at ready.gov/heat.

For information or ongoing updates, please tune to local media and the National Weather Service for changing conditions.

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Recreation Centers

Cooling centers are offered at the following recreation centers. Visit the Recreation Centers page for full business hours.

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.)

Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Ave.)

Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.)

Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Ave.)

William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave.) 

Libraries

In addition, the following Alexandria Library branches are open during the following hours for cooling needs during warm weather:

• Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.) 

• Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.
  • Metrorail: King Street Station (Yellow & Blue Lines 3.2 miles); Van Dorn Station (Blue Line 2.1 miles)
  • Metrobus: F23, F24, A28
  • DASH Bus: 30, 32

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen St.) 

• Parking: No library parking lot. Street parking is available. A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street.
  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles).
  • Metrobus: A11, A12, F19
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley: King & Columbus

Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Rd.)

• Parking: There is a library parking lot available.
  • Metrorail: King Street Station
  • Metrobus: F20
  • DASH Bus: 36A, 36B, 102

James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.)

• Parking: There is a small lot with 9 spaces.  On street parking is available.
  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1.3 miles) and King Street Stations (1.5 miles)
  • Metrobus:  A11, A12
  • DASH Bus: 33

Alex311 is the City of Alexandria’s customer service initiative to connect our customers to more than 175 City services in a variety of convenient ways. Connect with Alex311 online, through the mobile app, on Facebook and Twitter, by phone, or in person.

Alex311 Call Center  

During regular Hours: M – F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.:

• In the event of inclement weather, please call 703.746.4444 or utilize @AlexandriaVA311 to report non-emergency concerns. For immediate emergency assistance, call 911.  For non-emergency City Services, call 703.746.4311. 

After Hours: 

• We encourage residents to continue to submit non-life-threatening safety concerns overnight by calling 703.746.4444. For immediate emergency assistance, call 911.
• In the event of weather-related damage, report blocked roadways by calling 703.746.4444. 

Alex311 Website  

Available 24/7, you can submit and track requests for a faster response!  

Alex311 Mobile App  

Available 24/7, you can install the Alex311 mobile app to submit and track requests on the go.  

The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.